Chapter 220
Deep in the slopes of Umyeonsan Mountain, an elderly man clad in a pristine white robe walked leisurely atop the lake’s surface. He was known as a Sanshinryeong—a mountain spirit tasked with guarding the mountain. This lake, his home and refuge, had long been a place of tranquility. However, recently, a certain person had been visiting regularly.
The visitor looked human at first glance, but the aura radiating from him was far too powerful for an ordinary person. The spirit briefly entertained the idea that he might be a monster that escaped from a Fissure. However, the visitor’s fluent use of human language and his overall demeanor seemed completely out of place for a monster.
The lake was home to fish imbued with the mountain’s spiritual energy. The man, who had been coming here for several days, passed his time by catching the fish.
The Sanshinryeong silently submerged into the lake.
Today, as well, the man was fishing along the lakeshore. He baited the hook and cast his line into the middle of the lake. Then he took out a monthly fishing magazine from his bag and started reading.
***
The fishing magazine offered plenty of tips for catching good fish. One of them was: The shallow spots are the prime spots!
“I see,” Kiriel said in understanding.
He reeled in his line and cast it into a shallower spot, following the magazine’s advice. Whether it was because of the suggestion or mere coincidence, it didn’t even take ten minutes for him to get a bite.
The fish struggled fiercely, but it was no match for Kiriel’s strength.
Kiriel inspected his catch: a sizable carp, roughly thirty-five centimeters long. He pulled out his smartphone, took a photo, and gently unhooked the fish before releasing it back into the lake.
Meanwhile, Byeol, who had accompanied Kiriel, watched the fishing with great curiosity. However, her interest waned as she started to doze off, nodding off and jerking awake repeatedly.